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- A complete system of feudalism with a great proliferation of bureaucratic offices was soon established. About one-third of the population and one-quarter of the land used for agriculture came under the direct control of the shogun. The remaining population and land was divided into fiefs (han) of varying sizes among some 245 to 295 feudal lords, called daimyo, ranked into one of three groups. Loyal members of the Tokugawa family, who were called �hereditary daimyo� held fiefs around Edo in central Japan. Non-family members solidly loyal to Ieyasu were called �house daimyo � and were awarded fiefs throughout the shoguns domain. Less trustworthy daimyo were placed in the peripheral areas of Japan and were called �outer daimyo� The daimyo established their castle towns (joka) in positions that allowed them to control the main transportation routes of their fief. In theory, all the daimyo had autonomy within their own administrative realms, but the bakufu expected unconditional obedience from all. A daimyo was strictly forbidden to wage war against another daimyo. Ieyasu instructed the daimyo to �strive to excel with both the pen and the sword.� By following this maxim, over the years many of the daimyo become competent administrators.
During the Edo period, Shintoism and Buddhism were found to be inadequate for the new order being established by the Tokugawa regime. Instead, Chinese
OPPOSITE
8. Yoshitora Ichimosai
(active 1850-80)
Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu (1542-1616)
Woodblock print
Ieyasu became shogun in 1603, but abdicated at age 64 in favour of his son, Hidetada, in 1605 to guarantee a smooth transition of successive Tokugawa family shoguns. He did continue as 0- gosho (retired shogun) to direct the affairs of state until his death in 1616.
TOP LEFT
9. Hiroshige II Utagawa
(1829-69), Nihonbashi Series: Forty-eight Views of Famous Places of Edo Woodblock print
TOP RIGHT
10. Hiroshige II Utagawa
(1829-69), Surugacho Series: Forty-eight Views of Famous Places of Edo Woodblock print
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